Southwest Airlines open seating is ending: Here's what the new 8-group boarding process will look like
Briefly

Southwest Airlines is set to implement assigned seating beginning July 29, moving away from its iconic open-seating model. This decision aims to enhance competitiveness against Delta and American Airlines. The airline has introduced new features like premium seating, eliminated its 'bags fly free' policy, and revamped fare bundles to generate substantial earnings. These changes are projected to contribute an additional $800 million to earnings this year, with expectations of $1.7 billion by 2026. The new boarding process is designed to ease time pressure while structuring the cabin for better organization.
Southwest Airlines will start selling assigned seat tickets on July 29, transitioning from its open-seating model to compete more effectively with rival airlines.
The airline's changes, including the introduction of premium features and the discontinuation of its 'bags fly free' policy, aim to generate $800 million in earnings this year.
New assigned seating will reportedly reduce time pressure during boarding while creating a more segmented cabin for passengers.
The overhaul of its fare bundles will allow Southwest to enhance its offerings, reflecting a strategic shift to attract more customers and increase revenue.
Read at Fast Company
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